A Study on resource use efficiency of banana production in Tamil Nadu

Banana is the most important fruit crop in India which requires the various cultivation practices. For carrying out those cultivation practices various energies are required to meet sustainable production. The main aim of this study was to find out the resource use efficiency estimation for banana production in Erode District of Tamil Nadu. Primary data was collected from 100 sample farmers using well structured interview schedule. The empirical results shows that except human labour, nitrogen, phosphorus and diesel remaining all other variables included in the model were positive and human labour, machine labour, nitrogen, potassium, FYM, plant protection chemicals, irrigation water, sucker and electricity were significant among other variables. Subsequently, increase in 1% use of inputs such as machine labour, potassium, electricity, sucker and plant protection chemicals would increase the yield of banana 0.15 per cent, 0.20 per cent, 0.02 per cent, 0.01 per cent and 0.01 per cent respectively and 79 per cent of the variations in banana yield were influenced by the explanatory variables. Likewise price fluctuation plays a major constraint among the banana farmers. This study suggested the banana farmers to use more amount of potassium and to reduce the usage of human labour and as well as nitrogen fertilizer for sustainable use of resources.